Page 107 of The Christmas Retreat
Your affectionate friend,
Arwen
I stopped reading. So that must be what Nerys was afraid of – that Evie would expose Cosmo Caradoc’s appropriation of Arwen’s work as his own!
Riveted, I read on …
33
Troubled Waters
Wednesday 30 July 1919
My dearest Milly,
Cosmo kept me too busy in the studio on Monday and Tuesday to meet with you during the day – Effie has continued sitting in her role as St Melangell – but at least, now that he believes Edwin to be off on his own affairs during your visit, he was quite agreeable to my spending this afternoon sketching with you around Seren Bach, while he was otherwise engaged.
Little does he know that we spent most of the time sorting out the finer details of the escape plan! Edwin is so sweet, insisting he would be more than happy to marry me, but I’m resolute I won’t demand this sacrifice! But then, he is so kind, insisting on escorting me partway back after our early morning meetings. Instead, I will just hide until the hue and cry has stopped and it is safe to reappear.
I saw Cosmo when I returned to the house and he hasdecreed that we will go out tomorrow to paint a famous waterfall, which is not too great a distance away. We’ll be back for tea and Maudie says I may invite you – hence this note!
How very civilized we are becoming, what with church and afternoon tea, so different to the riotous meetings in the studios of our friends. It will be delightful to see some of them again and also to meet the new friends you have made in Cornwall.
Your affectionate friend,
Arwen
Thursday 31 July 1919
Well, my dearest Milly,
I know Edwin was to tell you our news as soon as he got back to the inn this morning and I’d hoped to be able to walk back with you a little way this afternoon after tea so we could talk about it, but of course, the Trimble sisters being there too and their deciding to go back with you by the cliff path put paid to that.
Were you as astonished as I was? It took some considerable time and effort on Edwin’s behalf to convince me that he truly loved me, but now that he has, I hope you are as delighted at the thought of our being sisters as I am!
I can now confess that the moment I saw Edwin again, I knew I loved him, but I hadn’t dared to think he felt the same way about me. At first I thought he was only saying he loved me from chivalry, so I’d accept his proposal of marriage to release me from Cosmo’s guardianship.
Once he’d finally overcome my doubts, I teased him about his former conviction that Free Love should be the order of the day!
I’ve told Bea that I’m now secretly engaged. Of course, she thought Edwin and I were in love and intending to marry anyway, because I had told her so to engage her sympathy.
Efa is bringing you a final parcel of my belongings with this note. Then all I have to do tomorrow is conceal my feelings from Cosmo. Since I am treating him with the greatest reserve, that will not be difficult.
So, as we agreed, tomorrow night I will plead a migraine after dinner and retire to my room, to get ready for the moment when the household has gone to bed, which fortunately is not usually late.
Bea has promised to make sure no one is about when I slip down the backstairs to the garden hall and out through the side door to the shrubbery, which she will lock after me. I shall only bring Papa’s old knapsack and paintbox with me. I can carry those easily along the cliff path to where you will be waiting for me in the car.
With a whole night’s start, I’m sure Cosmo won’t be able to catch up, especially using less well-frequented roads.
I feel as if I am walking on air, I am so happy, yet fearful that something might go wrong at the last minute to snatch my happiness away. This last day of waiting will be so hard!
Still, I will see you both in the morning as usual – our final meeting on the cliff path.
Your very affectionate soon-to-be sister,
Arwen
Friday 1 August 1919
